GUWAHATI, April 18 - Expressing concern at the rising incidents of crime against women in Assam, Leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly Debabrata Saikia today urged Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal to immediately promulgate an ordinance with provisions for stringent punishment for crimes against women.
Saikia said following a debate during the recent Budget Session of the Assembly which had seen the Congress Legislature Party move an Adjournment Motion to discuss crimes against women, and the gang-rape in Batadraba in particular, the Chief Minister had promised to enact a stringent law in the next session of the Assembly to combat crimes against women.
�However, that step would entail a delay of several months, whereas the uncontrolled spree of rape and murder of women across the State has necessitated immediate deterrent action,� said Saikia, who is also Leader of the Congress Legislature Party.
Saikia said that since the Judiciary is already overburdened with various cases, the Chief Minister should urgently establish at least six or seven special fast track courts in the State to deal with crimes against women. He said these courts should be given wide-ranging territorial jurisdiction till such time as similar courts are set up in all districts of the State.
